Month: May 2023

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Egyptian Artifacts Video

Statue of Senemut – Video

This is a statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£. A sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ was a musical instrument (like a rattle/tambourine) that was associated with the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑. Sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ usually had Hathor’s 𓉑 head 𓁢𓏀 (complete with her cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears) on top of a long handle.Β 

It’s interesting to see a statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό holding something other than Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ daughter Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, because he is usually depicted with her. 

Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό, although not of noble birth, became an extremely important figure during the reign of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ  Senemut π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό was Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ closest advisor, the tutor for her daughter Neferure 𓇳𓄀𓄀𓄀, and the architect responsible for building her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐. 

Putting a commoner in such a powerful position might have been a strategic move by Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ – it would pretty much guarantee that he remained loyal to her.Β 

Statue of Senemut
Statue of Senemut holding a sistrum at the MET

This is my personal photo, video and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Egyptian Artifacts

The “Hatshepsut Hole”

Gallery 115 π“²π“Ž†π“Ύ at the MET holds an incredible collection of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ which depict Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– greatest female pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 (and just one of the greatest pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 ever), Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ. This room is my happy place; there is just something so incredible about being in Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 presence! 

Most pharaohs’ π“‰π“‰»β€œgreatness” is based upon how extensive their building projects were, and Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ had a lot of them. She built the first obelisk 𓉢 in over 90 years, had her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐 constructed (where the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ in this gallery were found), and had multiple projects from Sinai to Nubia. 

However, despite her extensive building projects, much of her work had been usurped or destroyed. Most of the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ in this gallery have been reconstructed; the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were found in pieces and put back together like ancient puzzles by archaeologists.Β 

The "Hatshepsut Hole"
Me with some reconstructed/restored statues of Hatshepsut in Gallery 115 at the MET. These statues were found in The “Hatshepsut Hole.”

At Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐, the β€œHatshepsut Hole” is where many of these fragmented statues were found buried during an excavation by the MET and the Egyptian government. About 25 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ύ years after Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 death, Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 went on a campaign to have her statuary destroyed and her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– taken off of monuments 𓏠𓏍. No one knows why this occurred or the events that lead up to Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 doing this! 

Ironically, while Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 tried to destroy and erase Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ image 𓏏𓅱𓏏, by burying the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ, they have survived in pretty good condition thanks to the Egyptian sand. In a way, Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 did Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ (and archaeologists) a favor by allowing the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ to be preserved instead of exposed to the elements/other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦. 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Egyptian Artifacts

Gold Roman Mummy Mask

This is a mummy mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾 of a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ from the Roman Period of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. The Roman Period of Egypt is characterized as being after the death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 of Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇, the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, in 31 B.C.E. Even though Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 was Greek, she is considered to be the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. Augustus, though he called himself β€œPharaoh π“‰π“‰»π“€€β€œ was the first Emperor of the Roman Empire.Β 

Gold Roman Mummy Mask
Me with the Gold Roman Mummy Mask at the Brooklyn Museum

My Nonno loved the Roman Period of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– because he loved Roman history too, so Roman Egypt was the combination of his favorite things! The merging of the civilizations also meant the merging of both Egyptian and Roman art styles, as is demonstrated by this mask. The mask is made of cartonnage and mostly overlaid with gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf. The eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 are inlaid with glass π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό, while the garland π“Œ΄π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“†° of flowers 𓆼𓅱𓆰𓏦 is painted.Β 

Gold Roman Mummy Mask
The Gold Roman Mummy Mask at the Brooklyn Museum. The snake bracelets and armlets can be seen in great detail!

My favorite detail on this mummy mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾 are the snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛𓏦 that are carved in raised relief on the arms 𓂝𓏦. I love snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 themed jewelry and wear snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 rings π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“‹ͺπ“₯ and bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛𓏦 myself! I think it is such a beautiful π“„€ detail on  the mask 𓅱𓇋𓀾! The woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ who owned this mask was most likely extremely wealthy because most mummy masks 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ were not completely overlaid with gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ leaf such as this one. 

The eyebrows on the mask are blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ because it is supposed to be the same color as lapis lazuli 𓐍𓋴𓃀𓂧𓏧! Many of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ were thought to have blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ lapis lazuli 𓐍𓋴𓃀𓂧𓏧 hair! The blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ eyebrows could represent this woman joining the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Osiris and the Four Sons of Horus

This photo 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows some of the details (Osiris and the Four Sons of Horus) on the mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 of a man named Kharrushere who lived during the Third Intermediate Period/22nd Dynasty (c. 825–712 B.C.E.). These elaborately decorated coffins 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ are very typical of this time period, and they’re some of my favorite things to just sit and look at because the art is just exquisite!Β 

Osiris and the Four Sons of Horus
Osiris and the Four Sons of Horus depicted on a mummiform coffin at the MET.

In this image 𓏏𓅱𓏏, we can see the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ sitting in a shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰. If you look closely, the pillars that are holding up the shrine π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰ are actually β€œDjed Pillars π“Š½π“Š½π“Š½β€ which is significant because not only does β€œDjed π“Š½β€ mean β€œstability” in Middle Egyptian, but the Djed Pillar is also thought to represent the spine of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­!

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

While Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ is not explicitly labeled with his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, we know it’s him for a couple of reasons! He is depicted holding the crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ…, which is very typical! In the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ thought, we can see the title β€œLord of Eternity π“ŽŸπ“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ which is always associated with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­! It’s basically his nickname!

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

In front 𓏃 of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ on the table, we can see the Four Sons of Horus! Not only are they usually shown together like this, but each one of them is labeled with their name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! However, due to spacing, the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ are a little abbreviated/shortened from their usual forms! 

Let’s start reading from the right since that’s the way the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in this section point: 

𓇋𓐝𓋴𓍿 – Imseti (not shortened)

π“Ž›π“π“‘- Hapi (π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺπ“‡Œ) 

𓇼𓅐𓆑 – Duamutef (𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑)

π“π“Œ’ – Qebehsenuef (π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘)

Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 and Qebehsenuef π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘ seem to be switched because Duamutef’s 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– appears before Qebehsenuef’s π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘ in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ but after him in the lineup! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Eternity” in Hieroglyphs (Part 2)

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳 we looked at one word for β€œEternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ and today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the other word for β€œEternity – 𓆖.”

β€œTime” is such a complex concept; in our modern view, time is linear with the past at one end and the future at the other end. The present time is viewed as in between the past and future. In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, time was viewed as both linear and cyclical. 

Here’s how β€œeternity” was expressed in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

𓆖 – Eternity (linear)

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity (cyclical)

Eternity in Hieroglyphs
Eternity in Hieroglyphs from a raised relief at the MET

Linear eternity, represented by 𓆖, is the concept which represents that all of the things that came about at the time of creation (sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 is above the land 𓇾𓇾, Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί flowing South 𓇔𓅱𓏏 to North π“Ž”π“, sun 𓇳𓏺 rising in the East 𓋁𓃀𓏏𓏭 and setting in the West π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ, etc) would continue on as is for all π“ŽŸ eternity 𓆖. Cyclical Eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›, showed that all of the natural cycles like birth and death, the yearly seasons, would continue on for all π“ŽŸ eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. 

Let’s break down the symbols for Eternity 𓆖 (pronounced like β€œαΈt”):

The β€œcobra 𓆓” is a phonogram, which means that it is a symbol that represents sounds, and is usually part of a larger word! The cobra 𓆓 is a uniliteral sign, so it represents just one consonant. It represents the sound β€œαΈβ€ which would almost sound like a β€œj” when pronounced.

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺.”

The β€œstrip of land 𓇿/𓇾” symbols can both be used to write β€œEternity 𓆖.” While both symbols have different meaning when not used as a determinative, in the case of β€œEternity 𓆖” it is used as one! β€œπ“‡Ύβ€ pronounced like β€œtah/t3” is an ideogram for land, earth and world and is a determining for β€œEternity 𓆖.”  β€œπ“‡Ώβ€ is also a determinative for β€œEternity 𓆖” but also for desert and foreign land. It’s an ideogram for β€œisland” and would be pronounced like β€œjw.”

You can read Part 1 of this post here!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Eternity” in Hieroglyphs (Part 1)

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the word for β€œEternity – π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› was a concept central to ancient Egyptian religion and culture. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ actually invented the concept of eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›/infinity?

This way to write β€œeternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ is technically a measure of cyclical time. The proper way to write the word for eternity would actually be β€œπ“ˆ–π“…˜π“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³β€ or β€œπ“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³,” with the sun disc acting as the determinative. This means that the sun disc symbol would not be pronounced! However, π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› is more aesthetically pleasing, so that is how the word is written in most inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯. Technically, π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› would be pronounced like β€œnαΈ₯αΈ₯” and is actually an abbreviation of β€œπ“ˆ–π“…˜π“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³ / π“Ž›π“Ž›π“‡³.”

"Eternity" in Hieroglyphs
“Eternity” in Hieroglyphs. This relief is from the Chapel of Seti I and is on display at the MET.

There are two 𓏻 very common ways to write β€œEternity” – π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› and 𓆖. The words for eternity (𓆖 & π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›) appear frequently in so many inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ – if you can recognize the words, you will be able to pick them out in any museum you visit! They do have slightly different meanings that I will highlight in a future post! Languages are so cool – the two words can mean the same thing when translated into English, but can be different in Middle Egyptian!

Let’s take a closer look at the hieroglyphic symbols! 

The β€œwick π“Ž›β€ symbol is a uniliteral phonogram which means that it only represents one sound. The sound that it represents is β€œαΈ₯.” 

The β€œsun disc 𓇳” symbol is usually seen as an ideogram for β€œRa.” The symbol β€œπ“‡³ – sun” can also be a determinative for sun, day, and time.

You can read Part 2 of this post here!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Wilbour Plaque

Not only is the Wilbour Plaque one of my absolute favorite pieces, this is one of the most famous pieces of Amarna-era art! The Brooklyn Museum has an amazing collection of artifacts from Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– rule π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ and I’ll never forget the first time I got to see it with my Nonno!Β 

Wilbour Plaque
Me with the Wilbour Plaque at the Brooklyn Museum!

After Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is my second favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 because of just how different his reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ was compared to the other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ – not only did the art style completely change, but the religion changed too! 

The top piece in the display is known as the Wilbour Plaque, named after Charles Wilbour who acquired it in 1881. This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ piece is interesting because it is complete as is it was; it was never part of a larger scene and was most likely used as a model for sculptors! Sculptor models were used by artists as references when they were making official art of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!Β 

The Wilbour Plaque (top) and another Sculptor’s Model (bottom) on display at the Brooklyn Museum!

While there aren’t any inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, it is assumed that the people represented here are Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­. However, some argue that the person accompanying Nefertiti π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡π“π“­ in the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 could either be Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ or Smenkare π“‡³π“Šƒπ“‰»π“‚“π“‚¦π“†£. 

To me this piece is interesting because the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ is no where in sight! Usually Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is always accompanied by an image of the sun 𓇳𓏺/Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ with sun rays shining on him. It’s almost kinda weird to see him like this! 

The second piece in the display is another sculptor’s model! This piece shows Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– with another member of the royal family, and a hand! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Happiness and Joy in Hieroglyphs – Video

𓄫𓏏𓄣 – β€œBe Happy, β€œHappiness,” β€œJoy,” – or in Middle Egyptian, β€œWide Heart.” 

I LOVE how the actual Middle Egyptian version of the word is β€œWide Heart 𓄫𓏏𓄣” – I think it carries so much meaning in such a little phrase. β€œAncient Egypt makes my heart wide” sounds cooler than β€œAncient Egypt brings me joy/happiness” – in my opinion at least!

I always love seeing Happiness/Joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 written on objects because that is exactly how I felt when I was in a museum and looking at Egyptian artifacts with my Nonno. The only emotion I could feel at the time was joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 and I was so lucky. I would do anything to go to a museum with my Nonno and experience those emotions again. While I do feel immense joy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 in museums now, there’s always a sadness to it as well because I truly miss my Nonno more than anything.

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here are some common variants for β€œHappiness,” and β€œJoy”:

π“„«π“„£

𓄫𓄣𓏏

𓄫𓏏𓄣𓏺

𓄫𓄣𓏺

Happiness and Joy in Hieroglyphs
Here is a closeup of the word for Happiness and Joy in Hieroglyphs that I highlight in the video!

This is my video and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Talatat Blocks

These small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© β€œTalatat” Blocks are made of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ and were used solely during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–! These were used in the construction of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Karnak (this construction started when he was still Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€) and the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–. Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–.Β 

Talatat Blocks
Talatat Blocks from the palace at Akhetaten on display at the Brooklyn Museum.

These limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ Talatat blocks were unique because they were so small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© a single worker could carry them and put it into place. This was meant to expedite construction and make building a lot faster. The Talatat are also unique because they were only used during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–, and were never used again.Β 

These Talatat at the Brooklyn Museum were once brightly painted in striking colors, as was most of the Egyptian monuments 𓏠𓏍. These specific blocks are from the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–, which is where Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ grew up! These blocks reconstruct a pastoral scene. 

However, the Talatat were not found at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–; instead these blocks were reused by the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ to build a pylon at Magna. The Talatat that are now seen in museums all over have been found in other places because the blocks were reused when other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ took the throne. They were also reused by Horemheb π“‡³π“‚¦π“†£π“Όπ“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–. The famous Hypostyle Hall at Karnak (started by Seti I π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“£π“‡Œπ“ŒΈπ“ˆ– and completed by Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“) is built with Talatat! 

Tens of thousands of Talata have been found across Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and I’m sure that there are still many more to be found!Β 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Stela of Semin

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the funerary stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ of a bowman π“Œ”π“π“ΊΒ  named Semin! This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ depicts Semin holding a bow π“Œ”π“Ί in one hand and arrows in the other. This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ has hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the top and right sides.

This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ is dated to the 11th Dynasty (First Intermediate Period c. 2120–2051 B.C.E.).Β 

Stela of Semin
The Stela of Semin at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

We are going to start reading the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ from the top left, and then continue reading down the column on the right. Below is the full inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž–:

Top: π“‰“π“†Όπ“π“Šπ“†Όπ“ƒΎπ“…Ώπ“±π“†Όπ“‹²π“π“†Όπ“π“π“Š΅π“ŽŸπ“π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹

Right: π“π“ƒ€π“ˆ–π“„ͺπ“π“…±π“π“‚‹π“ŠΉπ“‰Όπ“ŽŸπ“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 π“Šƒ_π“Šͺπ“€— π“‡‹π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“›π“Š€π“…±

Let’s break it down:

𓉓 – A Voice Offering 

π“†Όπ“π“Š – A thousand bread and beer 

𓆼𓃾𓅿𓍱 – A thousand ox and fowl and alabaster

𓆼𓋲𓏏 – A thousand linen 

𓆼 – A thousand 

π“π“π“Š΅π“ŽŸπ“ – Everything 

𓄀𓆑𓂋 – Good 

𓏏𓃀 – Pure (β€œWab” is replaced by a weird symbol here – this is the more common one: 𓃂)

π“ˆ– – For

π“„ͺ𓐍𓅱 – Venerated One

𓐍𓂋 – Before

π“ŠΉπ“‰Ό – Great God

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 – Heaven/Sky

π“Šƒ_π“Šͺπ“€— – Semin (I can’t read the second symbol)

π“‡‹π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“›- Excellent

π“Š€π“…± – True of Voice

All π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, the full translation is: β€œA Voice OfferingΒ  of a thousand bread and beer, a thousand ox and fowl and alabaster, a thousand linen, a thousand of everything good and pure for the venerated one before the great god, lord of heaven, Semin the excellent, true of voice.” 

It’s interesting that this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ doesn’t start with the first part of the Offering Formula, “An Offering the King Gives… π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™,” and it may be due to spacing issues, as there was not much space available for the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ. The spacing issues are indicated by the arrangement of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ.

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.